Album reviews: Wham!, Lloyds, General Public

A singles collection, retrospective of a California band and long out-of-print vinyl reissues are all in the spotlight.

Wham!
The Singles: Echoes from the Edge of Heaven (Sony Music/Legacy)

With a popular new Netflix documentary and ubiquitous Volkswagen SUV ad featuring one of its biggest hits, there’s been heightened interest in Wham! lately. The Singles: Echoes from the Edge of Heaven, a solid new collection, contains all the frothy, infectious pop hits by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley which helped usher in the second British Invasion during the early-to-mid 1980s. Standouts include the Motown-esque stomper “I’m Your Man,” a breezy “The Edge of Heaven,” holiday perennial “Last Christmas,” the tension-filled “Everything She Wants,” effervescent “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and “Freedom.” There are some B-sides and remixes too. The liner notes have archival group and single cover photos, plus sales and chart positions. Available in 7” vinyl box set, color or black 2LP, 1CD and digital formats. Information: wham-official.com

Lloyds
Attitude Check (Liberation Hall)

Fronted by firebrand singer Lulu Lewis, Lloyds were a fixture at various Bay Area night clubs from 1979-84. The new wave quintet shared stages with R.E.M., Journey and Ramones and appeared in the Robbie Benson film “Die Laughing,” yet surprisingly never landed a major record deal. Now making their first appearance on CD and digital are all the songs that should’ve comprised the band’s debut album, plus a sizzling, punk-fueled ‘80 live set recorded at San Francisco’s Old Waldorf. Among the highlights: catchy kiss off “And That’s Why (I Don’t Like You),” the ‘60s girl group vibe of “Nothing in Return (When the Party’s Over),” a feisty “Lovesick” with Lewis’ wailing vocals, the mysterious vibe of “Curiosity,” gang vocals in “Rock and Roll What Me What I Am Today” (later covered by Lita Ford), and a terrific remake of The Exciters-popularized “Tell Him.” There are detailed song credits, rare photos, and a historical overview. Attitude Check is definitely a pleasant surprise and a must have for new wave music enthusiasts. Information: thelloydsband.com or liberationhall.com

General Public

All the Rage; Hand to Mouth (BMG)

After 2-Tone/ska band The (English) Beat had a successful U.K. chart run, Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger started General Public and put out All the Rage in 1984. Recruiting Mick Jones of The Clash and former members of The Specials and Dexy’s Midnight Runners, they crafted a fun, enticing new wave sound that ended up being quite successful in America. The band’s initial two albums have just been pressed on vinyl again for the first time since the ‘80s. Sprightly signature song “Tenderness” (featured in films “Sixteen Candles” and “Weird Science”) went top 20 on the U.S. dance charts, as did the snazzy “Hot You’re Cool” and jaunty “Never You Done That.” All became mainstays on college/modern rock radio. Two years later, the sleeker follow-up Hand to Mouth added prominent female backing vocals to the mix and was highlighted by the politically minded “Come Again,” a cheery, horn laden “Too Much of Nothing” and “Murder,” about an unattainable love interest. Information: amazon.com

A version of this article originally appeared in Desert Star Weekly. 

Nation of Language readies 'Strange Disciple' for September

On September 15, Nation of Language will release its new album Strange Disciple. The Brooklyn trio's latest single "Too Much, Enough" has a satirical music video starring Emmy-nominated actor Jimmi Simpson (Westworld, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Reggie Watts, Kevin Morby, Tomberlin, Adam Green, Ruby Wolf and many more. Previously released singles have included "Stumbling Still," "Sole Obsession," and "Weak in Your Light."

Listen to "Too Much, Enough" (Miss Grit Remix), Out Now via [PIAS]:

https://ffm.to/too-much-enough-remix

Produced by Nick Millhiser (LCD Soundsystem), and recorded in his East Williamsburg studio, the album sees Nation of Language considering the creative choices that would be most compelling to perform on-stage, for the first time. Incorporating more live drums, guitar and shoegaze influences into their arrangements than ever before. 

Singer Ian Devaney imagines the sound of Nation of Language's three albums as different ways of moving through and experiencing through the world. Whereas 2020's pandemic-era debut, Introduction, Presence, took place in a car, with a blurry euphoria reminiscent of road trips, and 2021's A Way Forward occurred on and as a locomotive, inspired by krautrock, Strange Disciple is informed by walks on foot.

Track list:

Weak In Your Light
Sole Obsession
Surely I Can't Wait
Swimming in the Shallow Sea
Too Much, Enough
Spare Me the Decision
Sightseer
Stumbling Still
A New Goodbye
I Will Never Learn

Tour Dates:

9/7 - Baltimore, MD - WTMD's First Thursday Festival
9/9 - New York, NY - Rough Trade & Rockefeller Center Present iNDIEPLAZA
9/15 - Berlin, DE - Astra
9/16 - Hamburg, DE - Uebel & Gefährlich
9/17 - Malmo, SE - Plan B
9/18 - Copenhagen, DK - Pumpehuset
9/20 - Kӧln, DE - Gebäude9
9/21 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
9/22 - Brussels, BE - Orangerie
9/23 - Paris, FR - Trabendo
9/25 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix
9/27 - London, UK - Heaven
9/28 - Brighton, UK - Concorde 2
9/29 - Bristol, UK - Marble Factory
9/30 - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms
10/4 - Manchester, UK - New Century
10/5 - Leeds, UK - Stylus
10/6 - Sheffield, UK - Foundry
10/7 - Newcastle, UK - Boiler Shop
10/13 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre#
10/14 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop#
10/15 - Chicago, IL - Metro#
10/16 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon#
10/18 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall#
10/19 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall#
10/20 - Kansas City, MO - RecordBar#
10/22 - Denver, CO - Gothic#
10/23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge#
10/25 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent#
10/26 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent#
10/28 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy Theatre#
10/29 - San Diego, CA - Belly Up Tavern#
10/30 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom#
11/2 - Austin, TX - Scoot Inn#
11/3 - Fort Worth, TX - Tulips FTX#
11/4 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall - Upstairs#
11/7 - Nashville, TN - Basement East#
11/8 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle#
11/9 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle#
11/10 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer#
11/11 - Washington, DC - The Atlantis#
11/30 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair#
12/1 - Montreal, QC - Studio TD#
12/2 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix#
# w/ Miss Grit

Pink Floyd's stand-alone release of remastered ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ arrives in October

Pink Floyd and Warner Music [Sony Music outside Europe] announced the upcoming stand-alone release of the newly remastered ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ on CD, LP and Blu-ray. These versions will be released on October 13.

First released as part of ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ 50th Anniversary Box Set, this is the first time that the new remaster of the classic album will be available on its own. The Blu-ray contains the Dolby Atmos and a 5.1 Surround mix as well as the remastered Stereo version. The package comes with commemorative postcards, stickers and a 24-page booklet.

Originally released in 1973, ‘The Dark Side Of The Moon’ has sold over 50 million copies worldwide.

PRE-ORDER PinkFloyd.lnk.to/DarkSide50thBreakouts

The 50th Anniversary continues to be celebrated as Pink Floyd invited a new generation of animators to enter a competition to create animated music videos for any of the 10 songs on the album. Pink Floyd has a rich history of collaborating with animators from the beginnings of the band (Ian Emes, Gerald Scarfe, etc.), and in some cases the visuals that accompany the songs have become synonymous with the music itself. Animators can enter up to 10 videos, one per song on the album. A winner will be selected from a panel of experts which will include Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason and Aubrey 'Po' Powell (Pink Floyd's creative consultant). The deadline for submissions is November 30. To enter and for more information go to https://www.pinkfloyd.com/competition/

You can join Aubrey "Po" Powell in conversation with animators who have created some videos in promotion for the competition and will discuss their work and the creative process. Taking part in the Q&A will be: Sara Serna (Us And Them) @sara_serna_; Charlie Black (Brain Damage) @charlieblackart and Kate Isobel Scott (Money) @kateisobelscott

The event will take place on September 6, 2023 at Noon ET/5:00pm UK time on YouTube, and you can join the live stream here https://youtube.com/live/cVqSFYrbP48

In recognition of one of the best-selling albums of all time, a fully immersive experience with visuals of the solar system and beyond is currently being played out alongside the whole of The Dark Side Of The Moon in various Planetariums around the world. The show itself is presented with a different theme for each track; some futuristically looking forward and some a retro acknowledgment to Pink Floyd’s visual history, all relating to a time and space experience, embracing up to the minute technology that only a Planetarium can offer. It is an all-encompassing surround sound and visual treat that will transcend reality and take you way beyond the realms of 2D experience. Contact your local Planetarium for any screening details.

U2 in Las Vegas news

“Zoo Station: A U2:UV Experience” is a fan portal opening on September 28, in conjunction with the band's upcoming residency opening of The Sphere in Las Vegas. 

Developed in collaboration with Gavin Friday, U2’s longtime Creative Director, and with direct input from the band, Zoo Station comprises more than 12,000 square feet of interactive exhibit space across two floors, and is located within The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas, the only resort with direct access to Sphere.

Sphere’s exterior - the Exosphere, which consists of approximately 1.2M LED pucks over its 580,000 sq ft surface - was lit up with the first U2:UV Achtung Baby Live content to help celebrate the announcement of Zoo Station and leading up to the band’s run of shows.

The exhibit borrows its name from “Zoo Station,” the opening track on U2’s 1991 album Achtung Baby, and the nickname for Zoologischer Garten, an actual Berlin train station situated in the city center, not far from Hansa Studios where much of the album was recorded.

The exhibit, which will be open daily to the public, allows fans to experience the origins and inspirations for Achtung Baby and its accompanying industry-defining Zoo TV Tour with its vision of a technologically-charged future: from the historic train station entrance to the sound design, the life-size subway car and vintage Trabant car display to the interactive Satellite of Love media station.

The industrial train station aesthetic of Zoo Station’s ground floor gives way to a more modern, futuristic environment on the second floor that pays homage to shows at Sphere and the band’s propulsive innovations in live music entertainment. Fans can visit the Ultra Violet lounge for music and shopping and the Fly Bar for drinks and more interactive art. Vibee’s VIP package purchasers get priority access and special events at the lounges. Also on the second floor is the Zoo TV Cinema, an intimate theater curated by The Edge, that will be hosting daily screenings of rare band footage and films.

Included:

Anton Corbijn Gallery: a retrospective exhibit of famed photographer Anton Corbijn’s work, featuring rotating photos and videos from across his five decades of collaboration with U2. Corbijn will personally curate the space.

U2 Pop Up Shop: this retail location will feature new, never before seen merchandise and a variety of music titles. A capsule collection of limited-edition products made exclusively for this experience will be available throughout the run. Additional exclusive shopping time and areas will be available for Vibee VIP pass holders and Fan Club members.

Zoo TV Cinema: Curated by The Edge, this theater is open to the public, and hosts five film screenings daily, including rare and unreleased concert footage from U2 shows around the world, original content including “Beyond The Tour,” “A Day In The Life Of The Edge,” and more. Tickets purchasing and schedule to be released in the coming weeks. For more information visit https://u2.vibee.com/. A limited number of complimentary tickets for each screening are reserved for Vibee VIP package purchasers.

Zoo Station will serve as a centralized hub/destination for people to celebrate, congregate, shop, view exclusive U2 content, and immerse themselves in the band’s history. The ground floor, home to the U2 Pop-Up Merch Shop, the Anton Corbjin gallery and interactive installations, will be open to the public and free to enter. Vibee VIP pass holders and Zoo Cinema ticket holders will get priority access to the second floor. The fan portal will be open exclusively to Vibee VIP passholders from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on performance days.

Location

The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas

Located adjacent to the LOVE sculpture in the Waterfall Atrium, just steps away from The Palazzo Casino Floor

Hours of Operation (starting Sept. 28)

Tuesday - Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Soft Cell's 'Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret' box set arriving in October

Soft Cell's Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, released in November 1981, spawned the major pop hit "Tainted Love" in America. 

In the words of Marc Almond, it “tells a story of a bored ordinary bloke seething with his life wanting more and looking for excitement and adventure in a red neon lit Soho world of red-light cabarets, prostitutes and sex dwarves, looking back at his youth and wondering what happened.” 

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret also contained UK hits "Bedsitter" and "Say Hello Wave Goodbye." Soft Cell's Dave Ball recalls making the album as “All very weird and extreme, from living in a council flat and suddenly you're flying on Concorde to New York” Looking back, Ball says, “'Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret' was the first period of Soft Cell, really. It was our pop period, and by 1982 we were done and dusted with that. The next one, was much darker.”

Soft Cell "Tainted Love": https://youtu.be/XZVpR3Pk-r8?si=5EFZPavvSumbop5X

Mercury-EMI/UMR will release a 6-CD, 98-track Super Deluxe Edition with 40 unreleased pieces on Oct. 20.

CD1 features Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret newly remastered in 2023 by Barry Grint, plus the A & B sides in their original 7” versions, including "Torch," "What!," the band’s first Phonogram single "A Man Could Get Lost" and "Memorabilia" produced by Mute’s Daniel Miller along with the 2016 edit of "Fun City" and a new edit of "Persuasion," both only released on 12” at the time.

CD2 Non-Stop Extended Cabaret contains the entire album in extended 12” form, made up of Dave Ball’s 2018 studio reworkings of the album using only the original studio parts, plus the original "Bedsitter" 12” which all parties agreed just could not be improved upon. Also featured are new remixes of "Memorabilia" by techno act The Hacker, Mute founder Daniel Miller and a new Dave Ball extended of "A Man Could Get Lost."

CD3 entitled Non-Stop Eclectic Cabaret is a treasure trove of rarities including BBC session highlights, a selection of demos, outtakes, audio from BBC TV and radio appearances on The Richard Skinner Show, The Old Grey Whistle Test, Top Of The Pops / Top Of The Pops 2 and The Oxford Road Show as well as selections from Heat: The Remixes, including Richard X’s version of "Seedy Films."

CD4 is Non-Stop Instrumental Cabaret, which presents the full album instrumentally for the first time and six original 1981 demos, five of which are previously unreleased. These demos include a Daniel Miller-produced version of "Tainted Love," "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" and a version of "Sex Dwarf" which was previously presumed lost.

CD5 brings together the original 12” A and B-sides of 1981 and 1982 under the banner Non-Stop Original Cabaret including "Memorabilia," "Tainted Love," "Say Hello Wave Goodbye," and the standalone singles "Torch" and "What!." 

CD6 includes the album played in full plus, "Torch" and "Memorabilia," recorded live at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo in November 2021. There are also three tracks from the band’s London O2 Arena show in September 2018.

In the 10” x 10” package is an essay on the story of the album by Adrian Thrills, including new interviews with Marc and Dave as well as full song lyrics, contemporary photography along, album and single sleeve scans and compiler’s credits from Chris Smith.

Soft Cell continue to tour and release new music including their first new album in 20 years, Happiness Not Included and last year’s rapturously received collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys, Purple Zone but As Marc Almond puts it, “Dave and I will carry on being creative, but it will be hard for us to produce another record that's loved in quite the same way as Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret was loved.”

SOFT CELL NON-STOP EROTIC CABARET 6-CD SUPER DELUXE EDITION
*Denotes previously unreleased

CD1: Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret: 2023 Remaster + Singles, B-Sides & Edits

1. Frustration 04:12
2. Tainted Love 02:35
3. Seedy Films 05:05
4. Youth 03:21
5. Sex Dwarf 05:47
6. Entertain Me 03:00
7. Chips On My Shoulder 04:06
8. Bedsitter 03:36
9. Secret Life 03:37
10. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye 05:34
11. Memorabilia (Single Version) 04:49
12. A Man Could Get Lost (Single Version) 03:17
13. Persuasion (Edit of 12” Single B-Side) 03:36 *
14. Where Did Our Love Go? (Single B-Side) 03:14
15. Facility Girls (Single B-Side) 02:23
16. Fun City (Edit of 12” Single B-Side) 04:24
17. Torch (Single Version) 04:08
18. Insecure Me (Single B-Side) 04:40
19. What! (Single Version) 02:51
20. …So (Single B-Side) 03:49

CD2: Non-Stop Extended Cabaret: Full-Length Versions & New Remixes

1. Frustration (Extended Version) 06:02 *
2. Tainted Love (2021 10" Extended Version) 05:05
3. Seedy Films (2023 Extended Version) 05:16 *
4. Youth (2018 ‘Wasted On The Young’ Extended Version) 05:41
5. Sex Dwarf (2023 Extended Version) 05:45 *
6. Entertain Me (2023 Extended Version) 06:05 *
7. Chips On My Shoulder (2018 Extended Version) 06:16
8. Bedsitter (1981 Original 12” Mix) 07:52
9. Secret Life (2018 Extended Version) 05:20
10. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (2018 Dave Ball ‘Lateral Mix’) 07:07
11. A Man Could Get Lost (2023 Extended Version) 05:08 *
12. Memorabilia (Daniel Miller 2023 Remix) 05:16
13. Memorabilia (The Hacker 2023 Remix) 06:37

CD3: Non-Stop Exotic Cabaret: Curios, Rarities, Sessions & Alternate Mixes

1. Frustration (Original ‘Mutant Moments’ Version) 03:32
2. Tainted Love (New 2023 Version) 03:01 *
3. Seedy Films (Richard X Remix) 05:20
4. Youth (Dave Ball ‘Warhol Funeral’ Mix) 03:05 *
5. Sex Dwarf (Live On BBC ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ 4th February 1982) 05:16
6. Entertain Me (Richard Skinner Session, Radio 1, 26th July 1981) 03:45
7. Chips On My Shoulder (Live From ‘The Oxford Road Show’ 22nd January 1982) 03:28 *
8. Bedsitter ((Richard Skinner Session, Radio 1, 26th July 1981) 03:34
9. Secret Life (George Demure Remix) 05:10
10. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Live From ‘The Oxford Road Show’ 22nd January 1982) 04:33 *
11. A Man Could Get Lost (Live at Leeds Warehouse, 16th July 2018) 03:30 *
12. Torch (Live from ‘Top Of The Pops 2’, 28th January 2002) 04:05 *
13. Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go (US Radio Edit) 04:01 *
14. Seedy Films (Richard Skinner Session, Radio 1, 26th July 1981) 03:58
15. Youth (Live On BBC ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ 4th February 1982) 03:15 *
16. Chips On My Shoulder (Richard Skinner Session, Radio 1, 26th July 1981) 04:20
17. Tainted Love (Live from ‘Top Of The Pops’ 1981 Reunion, 2001) 03:14 *
18. Bedsitter (‘Flexipop’ Version) 03:45 *
19. Memorabilia (2023 Dub Mix) 5:44 *
20. Tainted Love (Aborted 1981 Studio Take) 1:07 *

CD4: Non-Stop Instrumental Cabaret: Instrumentals & Bonus Demos

1. Frustration (Instrumental) 04:15 *
2. Tainted Love (Instrumental) 03:01 *
3. Seedy Films (Instrumental) 05:10 *
4. Youth (Instrumental) 03:25 *
5. Sex Dwarf (Instrumental) 05:15 *
6. Entertain Me (Instrumental) 02:57 *
7. Chips On My Shoulder (Instrumental) 04:09 *
8. Bedsitter (Instrumental) 03:39 *
9. Secret Life (Instrumental) 04:03 *
10. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Single B-Side Instrumental) 03:54
11. A Man Could Get Lost (Original Daniel Miller Instrumental Version) 03:30 *
12. Torch (Instrumental) 04:12 *
13. What! (Instrumental) 03:11 *
14. Insecure Me (Instrumental) 03:12 *
15. Tainted Love (Original 1981 Daniel Miller Demo) 02:47
16. Seedy Films (Original 1981 Demo) 04:02 *
17. Sex Dwarf (Original 1981 Demo) 06:53 *
18. Chips On My Shoulder (Original Demo) 03:50 *
19. Secret Life (Original 1981 Demo) 03:39 *
20. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Original 1981 Demo) 04:39 *

CD5: Non-Stop Original Cabaret: The 1981 / 1982 12” Mixes & B Sides

1. Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? (Original 12" Version) 08:57
2. Memorabilia (Original 12" Version) 07:47
3. Torch (Original 12" Version) 08:28
4. What! (Original 12" Version) 06:09
5. Tainted Dub (Original Version) 09:14
6. Persuasion (Original 12" Version) 07:35
7. Facility Girls (Original 12" Version) 07:16
8. Fun City (Original Version) 07:33
9. Insecure Me (Original 12" Version) 08:16
10. …So (Original 12" Version) 08:29

CD6: Non-Stop Intimate Cabaret: Live In Concert, London 2021 & 2018

1. Frustration (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
2. Tainted Love (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
3. Seedy Films (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
4. Youth (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
5. Sex Dwarf (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
6. Entertain Me (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
7. Chips On My Shoulder (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
8. Bedsitter (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
9. Secret Life (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
10. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
11. Torch (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
12. Memorabilia (Live at Eventim Apollo London, November 2021)
13. Insecure Me (Live at 02 Arena London, 30 September 2018
14. What! (Live at 02 Arena London, 30 September 2018
15. Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? (Live at 02 Arena London, 30 September 2018

Duran Duran mix covers, reimagined old tunes and originals on forthcoming album 'Danse Macabre'

Duran Duran have announced their 16th studio album: Danse Macabre, due for release on October 27 on Tape Modern via BMG and available to pre-order HERE.

The title track is the first of three brand new songs. Produced by Mr. Hudson, who worked on Paper Gods, the song also features former bandmate Warren Cuccurullo on guitar in his first collaboration with the band since 2001.

Listen to ‘Danse Macabre’ HERE.

Speaking about Danse Macabre, keyboardist Nick Rhodes said: “The song ‘Danse Macabre’ celebrates the joy and madness of Halloween. It is the title track of our forthcoming album, which gathers together an unusual mix of cover versions, reworked Duran Duran songs and several new compositions. The idea was born out of a show we played in Las Vegas on October 31st, 2022. We had decided to seize the moment to create a unique, special event…the temptation of using glorious gothic visuals set to a dark soundtrack of horror and humor was simply irresistible.

That evening inspired us to explore further and to make an album, using Halloween as the key theme. The record metamorphosed through a pure, organic process, and not only was it made faster than anything since our debut album, it has also resulted in something none of us could have ever predicted. Emotion, mood, style and attitude have always been at the heart of Duran Duran’s DNA, we search for light in the darkness and darkness in the light, and I feel we have somehow managed to capture the essence of all of that in this project.”

Simon Le Bon elaborates: “It’s about a crazy Halloween party. It’s supposed to be fun!”

John Taylor said: “After all these years, Danse Macabre offers an interesting insight into the personality of the band. The music packs a real punch.”

Roger Taylor adds: “I hope you take a journey with us through the darker side of our inspirations into where we’re at in 2023. Maybe, you’ll leave with a deeper understanding of how Duran Duran got to this moment in time.”

Duran Duran covers Billie Eilish’s ‘Bury A Friend’, Talking Heads’ ‘Psycho Killer’ (feat. Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin), The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’, the Rick James-inspired ‘Super Lonely Freak’, Siouxsie and the Banshees’ ‘Spellbound’, Cerrone’s ‘Supernature’ and The Specials’ ‘Ghost Town.'

As well as Warren Cuccurullo, the album includes more special collaborations with former Duran Duran band member Andy Taylor, producer, guitarist and composer Nile Rodgers, Victoria De Angelis of Måneskin, and producers Josh Blair and Mr. Hudson.

Andy Taylor originally joined Duran Duran in 1980, co-writing and playing guitar on their first three studio albums: Duran Duran (1981), Rio (1982), and Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983), before leaving the group to pursue a solo career. 16 years later he returned for Astronaut (2004), before parting company once again with the other four original members in 2006.

With Andy’s departure, Warren Cuccurullo joined the band full time in 1989, contributing both song writing and guitars to the albums Big Thing (1988), Liberty (1990), The Wedding Album (1993), Thank You (1995), Medazzaland (1997) and Pop Trash (2000).

‘Black Moonlight’ has Nile Rodgers and Andy Taylor on guitar.

Along with a second collaboration with Warren Cuccurullo on ‘Love Voudou’, Danse Macabre will feature newly recorded versions of ‘Nightboat’ and fan favorite ‘Secret Oktober 31st’ (both featuring Andy Taylor on guitar). The song made its first appearance as b-side to the 7” single ‘Union of The Snake’ and is now, 40 years later, seeing its first ever physical release on a Duran Duran studio album.

Danse Macabre follows a wave of landmark achievements for Duran Duran. Their 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Famemarked yet another career peak with the year already having seen the band headline London’s Hyde Park, perform at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, close the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in their home town of Birmingham, and a headline tour across North America which included sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden and three nights at the Hollywood Bowl.

Danse Macabre will be released on October 27 via Tape Modern for BMG with artwork featuring images adapted from a collection of authentic vintage séance photos sourced by Nick Rhodes at auction. It will be available on Black 2LP and CD, with a limited-edition Translucent Galaxy 2LP. The album will also be available on high res blu-ray audio. Pre-order HERE.

Duran Duran’s 16th studio album, Danse Macabre is out October 27. Pre-order HERE.

The album’s title track and first single is available everywhere now.

LISTEN
‘DANSE MACABRE’

PRE-ORDER/ADD/SAVE
‘DANSE MACABRE’ (ALBUM)

Track list:

Nightboat
Black Moonlight
Love Voudou
Bury A Friend
Supernature
Danse Macabre
Secret Oktober 31st
Ghost Town
Paint It Black
Super Lonely Freak
Spellbound
Psycho Killer (feat. Victoria De Angelis)
Confession in the Afterlife

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

08/31 – Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, MN*
09/01 – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island – Chicago, IL*
09/03 – CMAC – Canandaigua, NY*
09/06 – TD Garden – Boston, MA*
09/07 – Wells Fargo Center – Philadelphia, PA*
09/09 – PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA*
09/10 – Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH*
09/13 – Capital One Arena – Washington, DC*
09/16 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI*
09/19 – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON*
09/20 – Bell Centre – Montreal, QC+
09/22 – Forest Hills Stadium – Queens, NY**
09/23 – Ocean Casino Resort – Ovation Hall – Atlantic City, NJ
** w/ Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Bastille
* w/ Nile Rodgers & Chic and Bastille
+w/ Nile Rodgers & Chic

Deluxe edition of The Cranberries’ 'To The Faithful Departed' coming in October

Since I interviewed the band for this album, I'm really looking forward to hearing the new version...

The Cranberries’ third album To The Faithful Departed will be reissued as a deluxe edition on vinyl and CD on October 13 via Island/UMe. Selling over six million copies worldwide and reaching Number One in six countries, it became the band’s highest-charting album on the U.S. Billboard Top 200.

“I hadn't heard these tracks for a long time but have spent many days over the past year or so listening intently to these songs,” remembers drummer Fergal Lawler. With the tragic passing of vocalist Dolores O’Riordan in 2018, his remembrance of the recording is bittersweet. “As difficult as it was to hear Dolores' voice, they brought back many fond memories. I was shocked at how powerful they sounded and the strong emotions that I felt as I listened."

Originally released on April 30, 1996, the album yielded four singles including the U.S. Number One Modern Rock single “Salvation.” In this deluxe reissue, the original album has been remastered by John Dent at Metropolis. 

Available in its original configuration as 1LP, an expanded 2LP set, and a 3CD set (whose track listing the digital version mirrors), To The Faithful Departed deluxe editions contain several bonus tracks. The 2LP and 3CD configurations include three previously unreleased album demos recorded with Tim Palmer in Paris. The sleeve notes by Eoin Devereux includes contributions from the remaining band members as well as archived material which includes interviews with Dolores.

The Cranberries "Salvation": https://youtu.be/KotlCEGNbh8?si=QybfzGWY0Cpmy-cs

"When we were on tour for our second album No Need to Argue, we began discussions about recording the next album,” recalls Lawler about the record’s origins. “We had spoken to Island Records about the possibility of trying a new producer and they suggested Tim Palmer who had worked with Tears for Fears. So we decided to demo some new songs with him. We had a few days off in Paris and we recorded 'When You're Gone', 'Free to Decide' and 'I Just Shot John Lennon.' Tim was a lovely guy and the recordings sounded great but we felt he was a little similar in style to Steven Street [who had produced the band’s previous two albums] and we wanted to try something different. We had been touring a lot and wanted more of a live sound.”

Switching gears, they chose Bruce Fairbairn who was known for working with hard rock bands such as Aerosmith, AC/DC and Van Halen. “When the tour finished, we took a short break and met with Bruce and his genius engineer Mike Plotnikoff in Windmill Lane studio in Dublin,” he continues. “It was a very different experience for both ourselves and Bruce, he was used to working with heavy rock bands and we were used to working with Steven [Street], but it worked out really well. Bruce and Mike managed to capture that big, live sound we were looking for at that time, especially on songs like 'Salvation', 'Hollywood' and 'Electric Blue' but they also did a fantastic job on softer songs like 'When you're Gone', 'The Rebels' and 'Bosnia.'”

The digital and 3CD set includes unreleased outtakes and early mixes of the studio album and twelve rare live tracks recorded on the band’s 1996 “Free to Decide.”

Track listing:

3CD / DIGITAL

Disc One – To The Faithful Departed – Deluxe Remaster

1. Hollywood
2. Salvation
3. When You're Gone
4. Free To Decide
5. War Child
6. Forever Yellow Skies
7. The Rebels
8. Intermission
9. I Just Shot John Lennon
10. Electric Blue
11. I'm Still Remembering
12. Will You Remember?
13. Joe
14. Cordell
15. Bosnia
16. The Picture I View
17. Go Your Own Way

Disc Two – Unreleased Demos and Outtakes

1. When You're Gone (Paris demo)
2. I Just Shot John Lennon (Paris demo)
3. Free To Decide (Paris demo)
4. The Rebels (Outtake)
5. Hollywood (Outtake)
6. Cordell (Early mix)
7. Bosnia (Early mix)
8. Salvation (Early mix)
9. When You're Gone (Early mix)
10. Electric Blue (Early mix)
11. Intermission (Early mix)
12. Joe (Early mix)
13. Free To Decide (Alternate mix)

Disc Three – 1996 Free To Decide tour
1. Intermission + Forever Yellow Skies (Live in Toronto)
2. Sunday (Live in Toronto)
3. Linger (Live in Toronto)
4. The Rebels (Live in Toronto)
5. Waltzing Back (Live in Toronto)
6. I Can't Be With You (Live in Toronto)
7. Free To Decide (Live in Detroit)
8. Dreams (Live in Detroit)
9. Hollywood (Live in Detroit)
10. Zombie (Live in Detroit)
11. Dreaming My Dreams (Live in Detroit)
12. The Icicle Melts (Live in Detroit)
13. Salvation (Live at Milton Keynes Bowl)

Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals announces new album in September

Felix Cavaliere, founder of Grammy-winning and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee The Rascals, will release his new album Then and Now via Atisha Records/Ingram Music Distribution on September 15. It comes just over a year after Cavaliere penned “Memoir of a Rascal” (Ingram Spark).

“This album came about during the pandemic, whereas I needed to really find a way to lift my spirits from not being on stage and touring,” Cavaliere said in a press release. “The ‘then’ songs are the songs that made me want to sing and play. The ‘now’ songs reflect those past influences.”

With No. 1 songs like “Good Lovin’”, “Groovin’”, “A Beautiful Morning”, “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long”, “People Got to Be Free” and “How Can I Be Sure,” The Rascals were one of the prominent ‘blue-eyed soul’ groups to come out of the 1960s.

As a solo artist, Cavaliere connected with a new generation of fans with his top 40 hit “Only A Heart Sees” in 1980, and in 2008, Cavaliere worked with Steve Cropper on the Grammy-nominated “Nudge It Up A Notch.” “Then And Now” is Cavaliere’s first all-new solo studio album since 1993’s “Dreams In Motion” (MCA).

In 2019, Cavaliere was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame. 

Track listing: 

1. “Slip Away” 

2. “Along The Way” 

3. “Spanish Harlem” 

4. “Summer In El Barrio” 

5. “Mary Ann” 

6. “Road Trip” 

7. “Searching For My Love” 

8. “Get On Home” 

9. “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher” 

10. “Soul Love” 

felixcavalieremusic.com

Album review: 'Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies'

Various Artists

Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies

(Jem)

The thoroughly enjoyable Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies is the latest in a series of Jem-released tribute albums that have focused on legendary songwriters (others have included John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Pete Townshend). It utilizes artists on the indie label’s roster (Glen Burtnik of The Weeklings, a onetime member of Styx, comes the closest to being a marquee name here).

Regular listeners of Little Steven’s Underground Garage on SiriusXM might be familiar with some of the participating musicians who Van Zandt has anointed as his “Coolest Song in the World.”

Among the 13 power pop and garage rock-leaning covers, all but two were released by The Kinks in the 1960s. Dennis Diken, drummer for The Smithereens, penned the liner notes, attesting to the genius of Davies and the legendary British band.  

Celebrates Ray Davies gets off to a supercharged start as New York City’s The Midnight Callers put an exciting glam rock spin on “Come Dancing,” complete with heavenly group harmonies. After that standout, The Anderson Council gets all psychedelic during the regal “Do You Remember Walter” (the first of three remakes taken from The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society). TAC also tackle “This is Where I Belong,” boasting a highly appealing Peter Horvath vocal.

Elsewhere, Pittsburgh native Johnathan Pushkar really digs into the insistent “I Gotta Move” and a stomping “David Watts.” The Weeklings adeptly color their take on “Lola” with slide resonator guitar and banjo. The Grip Weeds, comprising two brothers – just like Ray and Dave Davies – do justice to “Where Have All the Good Times Gone,” thanks to some chugging guitars.

Available on CD, black or limited edition Cherry Cola LP, digital: amazon.com, jemrecordings.com.

Red Rockers 'Condition Red' reissue due in October

Sundazed Music announces the October 20 release of Red Rockers’ Condition Red. Available on LP, CD, and digital formats, the titles are now available for pre-order.

In 1983, New Orleans-based rock band Red Rockers garnered recognition for their new-wave hit, “China.” Not quite as well-known, however, are their original punk rock days, which are highlighted on their 1981 debut album, Condition Red. It includes a cover of Johnny Cash’s 1953 timeless classic, “Folsom Prison Blues.” There is also a cameo appearance from Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys.

The reissue also includes five bonus tracks, some of which have been released before and others that are being released for the first time. The first is an interlude, “Don Pardo.” Following that is “Nothing To Lose,” a track originally released on the B-side of the Guns Of Revolution 7” single from 1980. "Red Star” was originally released on the 1980 punk compilation No Questions, No Answers. The album finishes with two never-before-released tracks - “Missing In Action” and “United We Stand.” 

Track listing:

1.Guns Of Revolution
2. Teenage Underground
3. Peer Pressure
4. Can You Hear
5. Grow Up
6. Know What I Think
7. Dead Horses
8. Folsom Prison Blues
9. Condition Red
10. Hold One
11. White Law
12. Live Or Die
13. Don Pardo*
14. Northing To Lose#
15. Red Star^
16. Missing In Action*
17. United We Stand*

*previously unreleased
#Originally released on Guns Of Revolution 7” single from 1980
^Originally released on No Questions, No Answers compilation from 1980

Out now: 'Chapter of You,' the latest EP by pop singer/songwriter Wrabel

Wrabel unveils his latest EP, chapter of you, out now. It’s the second of a trio of releases that come together to form 'based on a true story,' his new full-length album out November 17th via Big Gay Records/Nettwerk. Listen to chapter of you HERE.

Of the EP release, Wrabel says, “I am so thrilled to release chapter of you, the second chapter of this project. This is a collection of songs from me to you... conversations with friends turned into songs. I hope this offers you a shoulder to cry on, a friend to celebrate with, and a reminder that you are not alone.”

Based on a true story incorporates his springtime EP chapter of me, which explores themes of heartbreak, personal empowerment, and in the case of standout single “one drink away,” the power of the human spirit to cope with addiction, and chapter of you, a collection dedicated to all those who listen, about just getting through all this with unabashed sonic hugs, like in the bright affirmation of breakout single “abstract art.” 

It also includes three previously unreleased tracks, completing the narrative of this journey through our shared emotions. 

Wrabel has also announced some initial tour dates in anticipation of the full-length album. Dubbed “The Residency Tour,” he will play two nights in New York City and three nights in Los Angeles (including a sold-out show at NeueHouse on Aug 30th), as well as additional shows in Boston and Chicago. All dates are listed below.

Earlier this summer, Wrabel released “Turn Up the Love,” as the PRIDE anthem he wrote for AT&T Turn Up the Love 2023 campaign (which he recently spoke to Variety about), and also saw his earlier catalog song “The Village” go viral when the inspiring dance troupe Unity auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent with a routine set to the song (which scored them the very rare Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell). Last week, he released a collaboration video with Unity for the song, which really hammers home the unifying message of the song. Initially inspired by a powerful meeting with two transgender fans of his, the song has been praised by People Magazine, Out Magazine, Billboard, and more. Wrabel also spoke with Good Morning America last year about how he hopes his music connects with people to offer solace and community when they need it the most.

Wrabel’s own personal discography has racked up over 700m streams across all DSP platforms, while he has also become known for high-profile collaborations/writing credits with Kesha, P!nk, Backstreet Boys, Ellie Goulding, Cam, and more.

Tour Dates:

Wed, Aug 30 Los Angeles, CA @ NeueHouse (sold-out)

Fri, Sept 29 New York, NY @ Chelsea Music Hall
Sat, Sept 30 New York, NY @ Chelsea Music Hall
Mon, Oct 2 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Wed, Oct 4 Chicago, IL @ Park West
Fri, Oct 20 Los Angeles, CA @ The Sun Rose
Sat, Oct 21 Los Angeles, CA @ The Sun Rose

Track list:

asbstract art
find it
we all could use some help
don’t be so hard on yourself

Jason Mraz reissue news

Jason Mraz marks the 15th anniversary of We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. with a Deluxe Edition on September 22 via Atlantic/Rhino. It contains a newly remastered version of his GRAMMY-winning, RIAA-certified 4x Platinum album with 14 bonus tracks never-before-pressed on vinyl – including previously unheard demos, an unreleased song, and other rarities. It will be offered as a 3LP set, 2CD set, and digitally. Preorder here.

"Lucky (Jason's First Draft)," a never-before-heard demo, reveals the early draft of the GRAMMY-Award winning duet recorded with Colbie Caillat, which is now RIAA-certified 4x Platinum. "Lucky (Jason's First Draft)" is streaming here, and a visualizer for the song is viewable here. In addition, the official music video for "Lucky" has been remastered in HD and can be viewed here.

Other tracks on the album include acoustic versions of the GRAMMY-winning song "Make It Mine," fan favorites "Butterfly," "Coyotes," "Only Human," "The Dynamo of Volition," and "If It Kills Me," as well as an unreleased demo of "Details In The Fabric" and the first "I'm Yours" demo. 

The limited-edition physical packages include a booklet with rare photos, images of Mraz's notes while writing lyrics, a track-by-track commentary by Mraz himself, and extensive liner notes by music journalist Annie Zaleski. In addition, the 3LP set will be available on a very limited run of crystal-clear vinyl, exclusively at Mraz's webstore here.

Mraz's latest album, Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, is a sister album of sorts to We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. For Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, Mraz reunited with producer Martin Terefe as well as Raining Jane, Austin, TX's Grooveline Horns, and string arranger David Davidson, all collaborators on the 2008 album. Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, which features the song "I Feel Like Dancing," is a return to pop for Mraz.

Track listing:

1. Make It Mine
2. I'm Yours
3. Lucky (with Colbie Caillat)
4. Butterfly
5. Live High
6. Love for a Child
7. Details in the Fabric (featuring James Morrison)
8. Coyotes
9. Only Human
10. The Dynamo of Volition
11. If It Kills Me
12. A Beautiful Mess
13. Make It Mine (From the Casa Nova Sessions)
14. I'm Yours (Demo)
15. Lucky (Jason's First Draft)*
16. Butterfly (From the Casa Nova Sessions)
17. Live High (From an Avocado Salad Session)
18. Love for a Child (From the Casa Nova Sessions)
19. Details in the Fabric (Demo)*
20. Coyotes (From A Girl In New York Sessions)
21. Only Human (From the Casa Nova Sessions)
22. The Dynamo of Volition (From an All Night Session)
23. If It Kills Me (From the Casa Nova Sessions)
24. A Beautiful Mess (From a Raining Jane Session)
25. Kickin' With You
26. Happy Endings*

*Previously Unreleased

Norway's Datarock brings some new synth pop/rock next month

Norway’s Datarock is best known for 2006 breakthrough single “Fa-Fa-Fa” and their trademark matching red tracksuits were seen in Coke and Apple ads, films like Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective, FIFA, and even in the SIMS computer game.

Now the group has a new album, Media Consumption Pyramid, due out Sept 29 via YAP Records. The single “Heart Shaped Circle” has two videos: an A.I. engineered video of morphing animation and the other celebrating love without prejudice to support their LGBTQIA+ fans. The latter video was created in response to the threats of violence that shrouded Norway's Pride Bergen during the first week of June, effectively shutting down events and striking fear within the community.

In a sense, "Heart Shaped Circle" is a dual embrace of new technology as well as acceptance and celebration of love. A.I. technology played a significant role in this project, showing us how this powerful tool is changing the cultural sector," explains frontman Fredrik Saroea. DATAROCK are embracing new changes in culture as well as the digital world and are partnering with Aldea the Center of Contemporary Art, Design and Technology.

“Heart Shaped Circle” A.I. Video: https://youtu.be/Tvy2O65D0hE

“Heart Shaped Circle” PRIDE Video: https://youtu.be/r6GmkZZYC2k

“’Heart Shaped Circle’ is an oddly joyous celebration of how life is an endless, repetitive, circular line of rights & wrongs. At the word 'go,' life is a heart-shaped circle, love is the heart-shaped circle of life," explains Saroea. 

Hearkening back to familiar '80s soundscapes and textures, "Heart Shaped Circle" is, as Fredrik explains, "a total homage to the sound of '80s icons like DEVO, Soft Cell, Bronski Beat, Depeche Mode, Simple Minds, Spandau Ballet, Pet Shop Boys, and The Smiths."

The album serves as a response to local horrible tragedies for the Norwegian band. Fredrick explains, "As we were rehearsing for the 15th anniversary tour of our debut album [2005's Datarock Datarock], Covid lockdowns shut it down before it even started. So in lieu of touring, we'd kinda found back to where it all started – by getting back deep into our earliest material."

In doing so, they also were forced to mentally and emotionally revisit tragic events that occurred throughout the band's history. In 2011, the band performed in Utøya (an island in Norway) the night before 69 people where killed and 100 injured by a right-wing, terrorist. This took a massive toll on the band.

Eventually pulling out of the shroud that enveloped them, they emerged refreshed but no less affected. "Man, that got harder and harder," he replies. "The two last releases [2018's Face the Brutality and 2019's A Fool at Forty Is A Fool Indeed EP], kinda felt like an end to that chapter. With this new album, it feels like we're starting something brand new – more based on the joyous 'innocence' of the early days of DATAROCK, both creatively and in regards to letting ourselves be a bit confrontational, tongue in cheek, not taking anything to seriously, and even in regards to not allowing ourselves to be terrorized by threats."

DATAROCK is guitarist/vocalist Fredrik Saroea (Rock Steady Freddie), bassist Ketil Mosnes (Ketel One), keyboardist Thomas Larssen (T-Man), Casio-operator Stig Narve Brunstad (Stig The Mystical Casio Operator) and Kjetil Møster (Ketel Two), and drummers/percussionists Øyvind Solheim (Ike Andy) and Tarjei Strøm.

Track list:

1. "Armadillo Pt. II"

2. "Heart Shaped Circle"

3. “Metaverse"

4. “Rabbit Hole”

5. “DISCObedience”

6. “Tick Tock”

7. “Video Store”

8. “Aeon Flux”

9. “Digital Life”

10. “Armadillo Pt. II”

11. "Double Vision" (Bonus Track)

Omar Apollo EP set for October

Omar Apollo's latest single, "Ice Slippin," arrives with news of a forthcoming EP, Live for Me, released on October 6th via Warner Records. 

“ICE SLIPPIN”: LISTEN HERE

'Live for Me': PRE-ORDER/SAVE: https://omarapollo.lnk.to/LiveForMeEP

Apollo teased fans with the location of three ice sculptures in London, Los Angeles, and New York and later took to Instagram to reveal the official artwork from his upcoming EP. The cover art is a portrait of Omar by Doron Langberg, a celebrated figurative painter who engages with new dialogues around queer sensuality and sexuality. His work is known for its distinctive psychological register which – both in its subject matter and execution – hinges on a sense of intimacy and celebrates the physicality of touch.

"Ice Slippin" sees Omar building on his refined songwriting skills that propelled him to fame following the release of his debut album, IVORY, last April. This latest offering from the artist was co-produced by Omar and Teo Halm.

Speaking on the latest track, Omar shares,"'Ice Slippin is about reliving the thoughts I had passing through my mind the winter I came out to my family. Receiving cold judgment as opposed to the acceptance I felt I deserved. This song is a reflection and reaction of all the emotions I had to face before and after I decided to leave the icy streets of Indiana."

Last year, Omar Apollo released his debut album IVORY which was widely celebrated for its ability to blur genre lines and language barriers. This translated to a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and earned the 26-year-old artist commercial success, including a 7-week run on the Billboard Hot 100 for his first RIAA-certified platinum record, "Evergreen (You Didn't Deserve Me At All)." 

Since the release of his most recent single "3 Boys" in February 2023, Omar has been named the first ambassador for skincare brand Youth to the People as well as the new face of Loewe's menswear campaign under the creative direction of Jonathan Anderson. Later this fall, Omar will return to the stage where he will be co-headlining Madison Square Garden with Daniel Caesar.

Upcoming Live Dates:

9/23 - Las Vegas, NV @ Life is Beautiful Festival
10/17 - New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden*

* = co-headlining with Daniel Caesar

OMD readies 'Bauhaus Staircase' album for October

Following the celebration of their 40th anniversary last year, OMD return with the announcement of their first new studio album since 2017's The Punishment Of Luxury, a record entitled Bauhaus Staircase, due October 27.

The forthcoming Bauhaus Staircase was born from the impetus to kickstart new explorations during lockdown when, as Andy McCluskey admits: "I rediscovered the creative power of total boredom."

Predominantly written, recorded, and mixed by both McCluskey and Paul Humphreys (who has recently become a second-time father), they had help from David Watts, the rock producer who helmed Sheffield band The Reytons’ recent No 1 album and mixed two tracks on the new OMD record.

OMD have shared an animated video for the album's title track and first single, "Bauhaus Staircase," which serves as a nod both to Andy McCluskey’s love of the Bauhaus era and the power of protest art.

As McCluskey wrote on the single itself:

"I am a huge lover of visual arts, especially mid 20th century movements. I reference them often in my titles and lyrics. The song 'Bauhaus Staircase' is a metaphor for strength and artist passion in the face of criticism and adversity. The title is derived from an Oscar Schlemmer painting. He taught at Bauhaus, and created the amazing futuristic costumes for The Triadic Ballet (referenced in the song).

When times are hard there is a tendency for Governments to look at cutting funding for creativity, just at the moment when the arts are most needed to nourish our souls. Thus, it seems appropriate that the song and its eponymous album were created during Covid Lockdown.

Sonically, the track attacks you instantly with rasping analogue synths, soaring electronic melodies, and pounding 808 drums. And the energy just keeps ramping up for four minutes."

Says Andy, "I’m very happy with what we’ve done on this record," McCluskey summarizes. "I’m comfortable if this is OMD’s last statement."

OMD will perform alongside New Order, Tears for Fears, Soft Cell, The B-52s, DEVO, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Psychedelic Furs, and more at 2023's Darker Waves Festival, taking place Saturday, November 18 in Huntington Beach, CA. Tickets and more information can be found HERE.

PRE-SAVE/PREORDER & SHARE: OMD - Bauhaus Staircase LP
Pre-Save / Preorder

LISTEN/WATCH & SHARE: OMD - "Bauhaus Staircase"
Stream / YouTube

Track listing:

01. Bauhaus Staircase
02. Anthropocene
03. Look At You Now
04. G.E.M.
05. Where We Started
06. Veruschka
07. Slow Train
08. Don't Go
09. Kleptocracy
10. Aphrodite's Favorite Child
11. Evolution of Species
12. Healing